Thankful for 20 miles

I was good and skipped the Turkey Trot. Resting the PF. But I wanted to do something to burn some calories before the feast ahead, so I got the bike out and headed down the beach. Temps near 60 made it lovely for shorts and a t-shirt. Tons of people were out running and biking. The bike path is always such a happy place. Also, the surf was WAY up and there were some awesome waves to watch and lots of surfers out in it. I spent the next few hours enjoying it all, and thinking about all the things I am thankful for.

There's all the usual things: Good health, loving wife, good family, friends, a steady job, financial security. Each incredible and worthy of a blog by itself. I am so lucky. I have my little plantar fasciitis problem to complain about now, but then I see a FB post about someone working through cancer treatments or the loss of a loved one, and I realize I should just suck it up and be grateful.

I'm also thankful to live in this fabulous place with year-round nice weather. You all remind me of how lucky I am every winter.

And of course I am thankful I found the Loop over 4 years ago. It changed my life in so many ways. I have all these new friends all over the country. I've been inspired to become a much better runner than would have happened without you. I've had SO MANY peak experiences at races and loopfests meeting up with all of you. Every loop meet feels like I get to meet and be friends with an awesome celebrity - and they feel the same about me! Hard to compare it to the real world, but it sure is fun!

So anyway, great long bike ride, longest in 2 years! Leaves me with happy endorphins and an athlete-sized hunger. Having dinner with some local friends (and a few runners) in just a few minutes.

Clark honestly thought about going surfing here yesterday (surf report was the best we've ever seen thanks to a storm that just passed through), but the water temp was 51, air temp was 33 and he didn't feel like investing in a thicker wetsuit, hood and socks. I'm sure he was wishing we were on the west coast!

Thankful for you, Bangle! I think my max for the bike is 18 miles, so way to go. You are right: perspective is an amazing thing. I have a few friends who are fighting cancer, and it always puts my teeny problems in perspective.

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